A three-member appeals panel on Wednesday upheld a penalty that NASCAR officials issued to Craftsman Truck Series champion Ty Majeski for missing a media event before the series’ season-ending race.
The National Motorsports Appeals Panel determined that the $12,500 fine issued to Majeski on Nov. 5 would stand, saying: “Driver failed to meet contractual agreement with NASCAR. One of the most, if not most, important media obligations of the entire season.”
Majeski was fined for missing Playoffs Media Day on Nov. 5 for championship-eligible drivers in North Carolina, held three days before the series’ deciding race at Phoenix Raceway. The violation fell under the NASCAR Rule Book’s Section 4.4.A, which deals with NASCAR Member Conduct, specifically “failure to complete media obligations” in Majeski’s case.
Majeski indicated during a media availability on the eve of the championship race at Phoenix that he planned to appeal, saying that he had the support of his ThorSport Racing team. The 30-year-old driver explained that he skipped the Tuesday media session to cast his ballot on Election Day in his home state of Wisconsin.
A NASCAR spokesperson said last month that officials were not aware of the reason for Majeski’s absence until after the fine was issued, saying that they would have worked with the driver on the timing of the media obligations had they been made aware of his intentions.
Neither Majeski nor ThorSport immediately indicated whether they would pursue a final appeal. The three-member appeals panel was represented Wednesday by Hunter Nickell, Cathy Rice and Lake Speed.
Goodbye, Stewart-Haas Racing. Hello, Joe Gibbs Racing.
In a Nov. 22 media availability, hours before the 2024 NASCAR Awards banquet, Briscoe said he hasn’t had many ties to SHR at all since the NASCAR Cup Series’ season finale Nov. 10 at Phoenix Raceway — so few, in fact, that he cleaned out his locker on the No. 14 SHR hauler after the Phoenix finale and transferred his belongings to the No. 19 JGR hauler just so he could get his items back.
“Honestly, I already kind of turned the chapters because we were locked out of the building and everything. We couldn’t even go back,” Briscoe said. “So I mean, truthfully, I’ve already cleaned my closet out. I kept some stuff, but, yeah, I mean, there’s really no SHR in existence anymore, right? It’s already the Haas Factory Team on the building and the employees and everything else.”
The postseason awards celebration marked Briscoe’s final official appearance as driver of the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford after four Cup seasons. Now, he pivots to the No. 19 Toyota to replace the retiring past Cup champion Martin Truex Jr., joining JGR and teammates Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell in what he described as the most pressure-packed ride of his career.
“I love the pressure side, but I do think this is probably the most pressure I’ve ever been (under) in my life, as far as professionally,” Briscoe said. “It’s weird because there’s been other times where my career was literally gonna be over, right? But I feel like this is one of those opportunities where if you don’t perform, like, there’s no excuses. Like, you have to perform at JGR. So from that standpoint, it is different because everywhere else, there’s really not been that expectation.
“SHR, where we were as a company was totally different. We weren’t expected, really, to go win. And if you win, then awesome, right? That’s great. But you weren’t expected to go win week in, week out, where at JGR, you are expected to be up front every single weekend. So from that standpoint, it is going to be totally different than anything I’ve really had in my career. So yeah, I’ll just have to figure it out.”
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
That challenge is one Briscoe welcomes as he enters a new chapter both as a racer and a father. He and wife Marissa welcomed twins Cooper and Collins on Oct. 8, now parents of three in addition to 3-year-old Brooks. And while adapting to life as a father of three has been its own journey, focus on the racing side of life has been a smoother endeavor.
Briscoe and crew chief James Small worked on building rapport with one another as the season was winding to a close, trying to get a head start on what their future could look like.
“Even the last, I would say, two or three weeks of the season,” Briscoe said, “(Small) made it a point always on Monday just to call me and kind of talk through my weekend and see what I fought and what struggles, just see if it lined up with anything they had. So yeah, I feel like we get along really well. Obviously, we haven’t been in that competition (situation) yet. We’ve just been away from the race track. But so far, everything’s been really good.”
Small has spent the past five seasons as Truex’s crew chief, working with him in some capacity since 2018 when both were at Furniture Row Racing. So Briscoe’s arrival marks a new era for Small too, who welcomes an eager, soon-to-be 30-year-old to the fold in place of the outgoing 44-year-old Truex.
“For us, it’s building a new story,” Small said after Phoenix. “You know, Martin was already established. Chase has only won a couple of races. It’s like Martin when he went to Furniture Row. He’s still very young, he’s extremely fast, and I know he’s very hungry to perform and show everybody what he’s capable of. So the whole team is just really, really excited to get going and try and get back here next year in the final four of the (playoffs).”
An added benefit for the No. 19 team is Briscoe’s proximity to the Huntersville, North Carolina, race shop. Truex often spent his weekdays outside the Carolinas, mainly in Florida and New Jersey, which prevented many visits to the shop.
“It’s just going to be really great to actually have somebody, for one, that lives in North Carolina,” Small told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, “and two, comes into the shop multiple times a week so we can actually build the team around him and have him in the process of developing the setup each week and helping us be better as well. We’re all really excited to have him on board and I think it’s gonna be a big gain for the 19 team.”
Meg Oliphant | Getty Images
Briscoe said he doesn’t quite know what his JGR schedule will be yet, but he’s looking forward to being in the shop as much as Small is looking forward to having him.
“Even James was telling me, I don’t think they’ve done sim for like three years, just because Martin’s never been there,” Briscoe said. “So from that standpoint, I know he’s excited just to be able to do sim because it feels like it’s going to make them better.”
A native of Mitchell, Indiana, Briscoe said those relationships with those on his team are imperative as they build communication and understand what each other needs and expects. That process began Nov. 14, Briscoe said, when he went to JGR to work ahead on his seat for the 2025 campaign, spending at least four hours at the shop. The facility was largely empty since the season had just ended, but Briscoe still left with a different impression.
“Being able to see a little bit on the inside, it’s definitely been intense,” he said. “Like it’s been very eye-opening, I would say, just being there a couple days, just how different it is. But, at the same time, all I’ve known is one place for the last seven years. So I think anything is going to be different. But it’s been really good so far.”
By the awards banquet, Briscoe already had his key access and began the process of acquiring his new work laptop. The biggest challenge, however, has been navigating the shop itself.
“I had to have James just show me how to get back to the marketing side the other day because I was so lost,” Briscoe said.
But it will be the expectations, paired with the intricate details, that will be most impactful to Briscoe’s adjustment to life competing under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner.
“It’s gonna be interesting just trying to understand the differences of how just intense JGR is, right?” he said. “At SHR, if we ran eighth, that was a good weekend. Where at JGR, the expectation is way different. It’s like, well, if we ran eighth, why did we run eighth? It’s just a totally different vibe and atmosphere. So from that standpoint, there’s going to be a lot, I think, for me to learn at the beginning of the season and just understanding, honestly, even just the things that go into what makes them as successful as they are. Even when I was at the shop last week, I mean, they were literally trying to find ounces they can shave off my helmet. That’s stuff that I never even thought about at SHR, right?
“So yeah, it’s gonna be different. But I’m excited that me and James are finally gonna be able to start working together. That’s been the hard thing the past couple months. Like, we’ve talked about a lot of things, but we haven’t been able to put any of those into action, where when we do the sim stuff, we’re literally going four days in a row, I think nine to five. And those are gonna be four days where we’re gonna really get to learn each other a lot and understand the lingo.
“And my style of driving might be completely opposite of Martin’s. We feel like (after) talking that they’re pretty similar — like the things Martin looks for are a lot of the same things I look for. But how we get there can be totally different. So there’s gonna be a learning curve for both of us. But I think once we get to that sim work for four days, it’s gonna give us a way better understanding of where we’re gonna be at and what we need to work on.”
Editor’s note: This continues the series in which we review each 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs driver in reverse order of championship finish.
Season in review: Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Crew chief: Richard Boswell Final 2024 ranking: 14th Key stats: One win, three top fives, nine top 10s, four pole positions, 43 laps led
How 2024 ended: After scoring a “walk-off”-style victory in the regular-season finale at Darlington Raceway to earn a NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs position, Briscoe and team rallied after a disappointing opening race of the postseason at Atlanta, where a crash left him 38th in the order. The No. 14 group answered that result with a pair of top 10s (at Watkins Glen International and Bristol Motor Speedway) to propel Briscoe into the Round of 12. It was there that three finishes outside the top 20 — 24th at Kansas, 30th at Talladega and 36th at the Charlotte Roval — halted his postseason run.
Best race: Statistically — and emotionally — Briscoe’s 29 laps led in his Southern 500 win at Darlington Raceway stood out as his best outing. The 29-year-old had to work hard for that sentimentally important and crucial victory – ultimately the last for the championship-winning, four-car team known as Stewart-Haas Racing. Briscoe held off an equally motivated Kyle Busch for that Darlington win – by a mere 0.361 seconds – in a thrilling final stretch that featured intense competition among Briscoe, Busch and Ross Chastain – all winless at the time fighting for a playoff berth.
Other season highlights: Briscoe started the season with a solid 10th-place showing in the Daytona 500 – only his second top-10 result in the sport’s biggest race –and he added top 10s at Phoenix (ninth), Martinsville (10th) and Texas (sixth) – giving him top-10 showings in four of the opening nine races. He scored a fifth-place finish at Darlington in the spring, giving him top fives in both races at the notoriously tough Darlington track, and he finished runner-up at New Hampshire – his last top-10 finish until his win in the regular-season finale. Although he’d have preferred advancing farther in the playoffs, Briscoe provided SHR team owner and fellow Hoosier Tony Stewart a reason to be proud of the famed No. 14 in the final year of the three-time Cup champion’s team ownership in the sport.
Stat to know: Briscoe’s nine top-10 finishes were second only to a career-best mark of 10 he had in 2022. His average starting position (15.7) and finishing position (18.8) were also second to his marks from 2022.
Quotable: “SHR meant everything for me. For one, it was an opportunity to go and really fulfill a dream. How many guys in the Cup Series can say they got to drive the car they physically cheered for as a kid? … That was literally the car I cheered for. So, for me, it fulfilled a dream for me and the family aspect; it was an incredible place the last seven years to call home.” — Chase Briscoe on his four-season run in the No. 14, and his seven-year tenure with SHR
Looking ahead: Briscoe moves into the highly coveted No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota seat for next year, following former series champion Martin Truex Jr., who retired from full-time competition at the end of the season. To be selected for the high-profile seat is a major nod of confidence, and Briscoe has proven to be both grateful for the chance and highly motivated to prove what he can do with another championship team. Expectations are high, and Briscoe — who has two career wins and two playoff appearances in four NASCAR Cup Series seasons — has embraced that.
Christopher Bell will make his long-awaited return to the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2025, according to a source close to the Joe Gibbs Racing driver — his new teammate, Chase Briscoe.
The new driver of the No. 19 JGR Toyota broke the news Tuesday morning that the three-time winner of the prestigious indoor midget race would make his return to Tulsa, Oklahoma after a two-year hiatus. Bell had been sidelined from the event after JGR halted its drivers from extracurricular racing, a restriction recently lifted by the team.
Bell confirmed the rumor himself, but there’s a backstory to why it was Briscoe breaking the news. In a June press conference at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bell accidentally let slip that Briscoe would be a Gibbs teammate in 2025 … which was rumored at the time but far from confirmed by the team at that point. Bell laterofficially introduced Briscoe at the press conference announcing the move, and Briscoe was able to repay the favor with the Chili Bowl news.
The Oklahoma native will look to reclaim his throne after a bit of a drought following three straight Chili Bowl victories from 2017-19, just the second driver to achieve such a feat after Kevin Swindell’s record four straight wins. Friendly rival Kyle Larson won the two following Bells three-peat, with Tanner Thorson and Logan Seavey (two) combining to win the most recent three.
Nick Oxford | NASCAR Digital Media
Bell’s return adds another chapter to his compelling rivalry with Larson in addition to an already stacked field that so far includes the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champ, Briscoe and two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Larson was recently asked if Bell could face initial challenges after his time away from dirt racing but maintains confidence in his longtime rival’s abilities.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins his first race back,” Larson noted, setting the stage for another potential showdown between the two dirt racing titans.
The Chili Bowl Nationals start Jan. 12, 2025, and run through Jan. 18, with coverage on FloRacing.
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2024) — NASCAR and GOVX, the online shopping platform exclusively for current and former military, first responders, emergency medical professionals, educators and other government service personnel, announced today an official multiyear partnership that strengthens NASCAR’s longstanding commitment to the military and first responder communities.
Through this new partnership, GOVX will serve as the Presenting Sponsor and Official Verification Partner of the NASCAR Miltix program, offering discounted race tickets of 15% off or more to NASCAR-owned tracks nationwide. Eligible service members will be able to access this benefit through both NASCAR.com and GOVX.com.
First responders and other Americans of service will also be eligible to receive the ticket discount offering through the partnership. With an existing membership of over 9.5M, GOVX will help to amplify NASCAR’s commitment to this deserving community.
“Since the inception of our sport, honoring members of the military has been a big piece of the fabric that makes up NASCAR and, in partnership with GOVX, the Miltix program is one of many ways we’re able to do that,” said Michelle Byron, NASCAR executive vice president, chief partnership and licensing officer. “There is nothing better than the at-track NASCAR experience, and thanks to GOVX and the Miltix program, it’s even easier for current and former members of the military to access that experience.”
The Official Partnership will also be supported through robust promotion on GOVX.com, GOVX signage at NASCAR tracks throughout the race season, commercial inventory within NASCAR TV broadcasts, and through NASCAR.com and other digital media placements.
“Over the decades, NASCAR has shown an unwavering appreciation and dedication to our nation’s heroes, both on the track and off,” said Alan Cole, GOVX CEO. “The opportunity to partner with such a prestigious organization is a privilege, and we look forward to bringing the pulse of America’s racing spirit to the GOVX community.”
NASCAR has a long-tenured and deep-seated appreciation for the military through initiatives such as the annual NASCAR Salutes and Troops to the Track programs, a partnership with Honor and Remember and supporting the mission of Sound Off, a nonprofit organization founded to help reduce veteran suicide through free and anonymous mental health support for veterans and service members.
Editor’s note: This continues the series where we review each 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs driver in reverse order of championship finish.
Season in review: Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Crew chief: Chris Gayle Final 2024 ranking: 15th Key stats: Eight top fives, 12 top 10s, 417 laps led, two poles
How 2024 ended: When the season began, there likely were some observers who wondered whether the young Gibbs (who turned 22 on October 4) would fall victim to a dreaded NASCAR sophomore jinx. But such was not the case for the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, as Ty enjoyed a significantly better second season in 2024 than he did in his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2023. While Gibbs still has yet to win a Cup race, he had a strong 2024 season, including finishing the 26-race regular season in ninth place and advancing to the playoffs for the first time. Once the playoffs began, however, Gibbs was eliminated after the first round. He finished 30th or worse in the final five races of the season, including crashing out after the first lap of the season finale at Phoenix, dropping him to a disappointing 15th-place overall finish in what was still otherwise an encouraging 2024 campaign.
Best race: Gibbs had a number of strong outings, but his season and career-best finish was a runner-up showing in the season’s first of two events at Darlington Raceway in the 2024 Goodyear 400 (Race No. 13). After qualifying fourth, Gibbs tackled the track that’s billed as “Too Tough To Tame,” leading 34 of the event’s 293 laps and earning the first runner-up of his Cup career.
Other season highlights: Gibbs had a number of other strong races, including third-place finishes at Phoenix, Austin, Chicago and Michigan. What stands out among those races, as well as his runner-up at Darlington’s springtime race, was Gibbs’ ability to be a strong contender on all different types of race tracks. Known as primarily a short-track racer, he really showed his developing versatility across all types of tracks, expanding his repertoire by doing well not just at a short track (Phoenix) but also at a tough mid-sized track (Darlington), a road course (Austin), street course (Chicago) and 2-mile speedway (Michigan). One other race of note: even though he finished ninth in the Food City 500 Bristol spring race, he led a career-high 137 laps, second-highest in that race to winner and teammate Denny Hamlin’s 163 laps.
Stat to know: If there’s one stat that really stands out, it was Gibbs’ ability to get to the front of the pack and to be comfortable there: he led 112 laps as a rookie and nearly quadrupled that with 417 laps led in 2024. All told, Gibbs improved in virtually every statistical category from his rookie season, most notably in top-five finishes. He earned four top fives in 2023, and then doubled that performance with eight top fives in 2024 — including a runner-up, four top-three finishes and three other fifth-place showings.
Quotable: “We had some good runs this year, been in contention to almost win races like Chicago and Michigan. We were close. I think we’re on our way, we just need to get better faster. (We were) not good enough, like a ‘C’ (grade), I guess. For me, 22-year-old Ty is just trying to make it happen.” – Ty Gibbs.
Looking ahead: Two things are key for Gibbs in 2025: to continue his overall improvement and to hopefully and finally earn his first NASCAR Cup Series win. He’s come close in his first 87 starts but has not been able to grab the checkered flag. As for 2025, Gibbs will have a new crew chief. Tyler Allen, who was crew chief for eight of the nine wins for JGR’s No. 20 Xfinity team this past season, will move up to the Cup Series ranks to join Gibbs. Chris Gayle, who had been Gibbs’ crew chief for his first two full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, moves over to become Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, while Chris Gabehart, Hamlin’s former crew chief, has been promoted to JGR’s director of competition.
Editor’s note: This begins the series in which we review each 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs driver in reverse order of championship finish.
Season in review: Harrison Burton, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing Ford Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins, Grant Hutchens Final 2024 Ranking: 16th Key stats: One win, one top five, two top 10s, 13 laps led
How 2024 ended: Burton’s third year of full-time racing in NASCAR’s premier series propelled him to new heights while continuing to learn the Cup Series ropes. The 24-year-old Huntersville, North Carolina native not only tallied his first career Cup Series win in his 98th Cup start but additionally raced among 15 other playoff drivers for the chance to hoist the coveted Bill France Cup. Three finishes of 24th or worse in the Round of 16 resulted in the Wood Brothers Racing pilot’s elimination from title contention, but that didn’t prevent the No. 21 Ford from racing with conviction week in and week out, tallying two finishes of 16th or better over the final four races of the season. Although his 25.7 average finish was a step back from prior marks (22.8 in 2022 and 24.7 in 2023), the young Burton continued to log pivotal starts as he continues to build his resume in the Cup Series.
Best race: He might’ve led only one lap, but Burton’s electric — and emotional — victory at Daytona International Speedway takes the cake, and for good reason. His last-lap pass for the win over two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch not only netted Burton his first win but additionally garnered his first Cup playoff berth. The victory was monumental for not just Burton but Wood Brothers Racing; the win was the team’s 100th and its first since Ryan Blaney found Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway in 2017. Topping the race triumph off with Harrison’s father, Jeff, on the NBC broadcast call? Priceless.
Other season highlights: Although he was eliminated from title contention, Burton closed out the season on relatively solid footing, even more impressive given a switch at crew chief from Jeremy Bullins to Grant Hutchens with two races to go. Over those final two contests — at Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway — Burton tallied two starts inside the top 10 (sixth at Martinsville, ninth at Phoenix), marking the only instance the No. 21 started back-to-back races with such strong track position in 2024.
Stat to know: Five of Burton’s six finishes inside the top 15 occurred on tracks 1.5 miles or longer. Burton finished 11th at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February, 10th at Talladega Superspeedway in April, 14th at Michigan International Speedway in August, first at Daytona in August and 15th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October. Burton’s only finish inside the top 15 on a track shorter than 1.5 miles came at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June.
Quotable: “It’s just been so hard, and that’s the way it should be. The Cup Series is really, really hard. But to get the Wood Brothers’ 100th win, get my very first Cup win, it’s just really, really hard to put in words.” — Harrison Burton on Daytona triumph.
Looking ahead: With Wood Brothers Racing tabbing Josh Berry as No. 21 driver next season, Burton and his now-former organization will part ways, with Burton slated to return to the Xfinity circuit as full-time pilot of AM Racing’s flagship Ford in 2025. Although the transition ends Burton’s three-year run as a full-time Cup Series driver, the move allows the driver to continue harnessing his racing craft in a series where he’s had past success, collecting four wins, 25 top fives and 44 top 10s across two full-time seasons in 2020-21.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — At 21, Kaden Honeycutt is already well-versed in the motorsports industry.
The Willow Park, Texas native has found success across numerous racing disciplines, his accomplishments ranging from dirt late model wins in his home state to finding Victory Lane twice with the ARCA Menards Series West.
Up until Sunday’s Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway, Honeycutt had yet to prevail in a Super Late Model. Competing in the southeast over the past several years got Honeycutt acclimated to nearly every driver in the 30-car field.
On Sunday, he had to figure how to beat them all in the discipline’s most cherished race.
Experience helped Honeycutt remain strong against two Super Late Model standouts in Stephen Nasse and defending Snowball Derby champion Ty Majeski during the closing laps. Nasse’s valiant charge was not enough to usurp Honeycutt, who claimed the most significant victory of his young career to date.
The moment carried tremendous weight for Honeycutt, overwhelmed physically from adrenaline and emotionally from having years of tireless work pay off with a Tom Dawson Trophy.
“It’s definitely unbelievable,” Honeycutt said. “I grew up walking [at Five Flags]. This is literally where I took my first steps. There’s a lot of history here for my family here. I knew I could do it, and I knew [my team] could do it.
“This was a matter of putting the pieces together. We worked our asses off, and it paid off.”
Honeycutt brought plenty of knowledge about Five Flags to Sunday’s Snowball Derby, but it had been three years since his last appearance in the crown jewel event.
Four previous Snowball Derby attempts yielded mixed results for Honeycutt. The best of these appearances took place in 2020, when Honeycutt qualified on the outside pole and led 26 laps before settling for a fifth-place performance.
When Honeycutt elected to pursue a Snowball Derby ride for 2024, he wanted to proceed the correct way. He ended up forming a partnership with Jett Motorsports operated by Larry Blount, who was one year removed from a third place run in the Snowball Derby with 2019 winner Travis Braden.
Having another Snowball Derby champion in Derek Thorn as a teammate in a Jett Motorsports Pro Late Model only bolstered Honeycutt’s confidence ahead of Sunday afternoon. With everything on his side, it came down to Honeycutt to execute his job perfectly.
The arduous week at Five Flags almost started off perfectly for Honeycutt. After setting a stellar time of 16.203 seconds early in Friday’s qualifying session, Honeycutt waited patiently to see if the lap would hold until the final car.
Majeski denied Honeycutt his first pole with a 16.175, but no one else topped Honeycutt the rest of the evening. Just like in 2020, Honeycutt started the Snowball Derby from the outside pole with clean track in front of him.
The presence of a two-time Snowball Derby winner like Majeski never intimidated Honeycutt throughout the 300-lap race. Although Majeski did most of the leading, Honeycutt made sure to keep the veteran racer in his sight all day by exchanging the top spot on several occasions.
Honeycutt’s primary challenge during a 20-lap sprint to the finish did not come in the form of Majeski, but rather Nasse. Fresh off his maiden Snowflake 100 victory the previous evening, Nasse needed precious time to work his way around Majeski before attempting to overtake Honeycutt for his first Snowball Derby triumph in 14 years.
One last dive bomb from Nasse in Turn 3 on the final lap was not enough to move Honeycutt out of the groove. Nasse had to settle for heartbreak, while Honeycutt was filled with jubilation as he crossed the start-finish line.
“I was trying not to look in the mirror,” Honeycutt said. “Once [my spotter] told me [Nasse] was two back on the backstretch on the white, he said to drive it in hard, so I drove it in hard. He was tight to me, so I throttled up to make sure he couldn’t get to me. It was crazy.”
Kaden’s Honeycutt triumph on Sunday puts him amidst an elite group of drivers who have won a Snowball Derby. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR Regional)
Defeating many of the Super Late Model mainstays like Nasse, Majeski, Bubba Pollard and Chandler Smith validated the sacrifices and strain Honeycutt has endured to reach this point in his career.
Since making the decision to venture away from Texas into other regions of the United States, Honeycutt wanted to bet on himself and prove he could make it to NASCAR. The gamble has paid off with multiple Late Model Stock wins, ARCA Menards Series West victories and a Pro Late Model championship.
Now that gamble has translated into a Snowball Derby victory.
There were times throughout the week when Honeycutt was unsure of his chances about procuring a Snowball Derby victory. Honeycutt understood the pedigree of the competition he was dealing with, but he was determined to work closely with Jett Motorsports so his No. 21 had race-winning speed Sunday.
“On Sunday during pre-testing, all we worked on was mock runs,” Honeycutt said. “That’s the same thing we did Thursday and Friday. We did no race runs until [Saturday], and I was honestly kind of concerned about it. I knew [Majeski] was going to be tough to beat, and I didn’t think we’d be that good. Once the race came around, we were good.
“That’s what all these races are about, making it there, staying up front all day and giving yourself a chance.”
Now with a Snowball Derby victory on his resume, Honeycutt is turning his attention toward a busy 2025. He will chase a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2025 with Niece Motorsports, an organization with which he already has two top fives.
Until Daytona International Speedway comes around in February, Honeycutt plans to cherish his marquee accomplishment. Only a handful of names have had the privilege of prevailing in the Snowball Derby, a list that includes Majeski, Darrell Waltrip, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Rich Bickle, Jeff Purvis and more.
Honeycutt now joins that prestigious group in his early 20s, which leaves him plenty of time to tally more victories not only in the Snowball Derby, but any form of racing in which he chooses to compete.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A lot has changed for Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Super Late Model program since their first Snowball Derby attempt with Ryan Preece in 2023.
The most notable difference is the additional support the No. 62 has for Sunday’s big race at Five Flags Speedway. In October, KHI announced an alliance with Rackley W.A.R. for the 2025 season. The deal will see Kevin Harvick and his son Keelan compete under their new partner’s banner in short-track events across the country.
Willie Allen, who co-owns Rackley W.A.R. alongside Curtis Sutton, sees Sunday’s Snowball Derby as an opportunity to build more cohesion with KHI before the new year. Given Harvick’s influence, Allen is setting high expectations for the No. 62 and the rest of the Rackley W.A.R. armada.
William Sawalich will start third in the 2024 Snowball Derby driving for KHI and Rackley W.A.R. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)
“I’m definitely excited to have a partnership with Kevin and KHI,” Allen said. “It means a lot to have that caliber of a guy that believes in us and trusts our program. He’s come on board as a consultant for us on the [NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series] team and is racing for us some. We’re excited about [the Snowball Derby] and next year.”
Harvick drove a Rackley W.A.R. Pro Late Model at Florence Motor Speedway in August to lay the foundation for the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion to team up with the burgeoning operation.
It did not take long for Allen and Harvick to find common ground with their goals, particularly with driver development. Since forming Rackley W.A.R. in 2021, Allen has helped numerous young competitors refine their race craft at the grassroots level such as Dawson Sutton, Curtis’ son, and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch.
Like Allen, Harvick has been occupied with developing talent since restarting KHI. The 2024 season was a successful one for KHI in Late Model Stocks, as Brent Crews visited Victory Lane three times with the program, all while Landen Lewis broke out for his first win at North Carolina’s Wake County Speedway.
Kevin Harvick during the CARS Tour Window World 125 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2023. (Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)
In only a few years, both Rackley W.A.R. and KHI have grown to possess so much influence at the short track level. Allen knew combining resources and ideologies could only benefit everyone involved, especially with Rackley W.A.R. moving from Centerville, Tennessee to Statesville, North Carolina during the winter.
Despite dealing with so much change, Allen was determined to start his new relationship with Harvick on a positive note. Every interaction with Harvick so far has only reinforced to Allen why partnering with KHI was a great idea.
“When you talk to Kevin, it’s no secret as to why he’s successful,” Allen said. “He’s so organized, very well put together and definitely a smart guy. He knows how to win as a driver and an owner and brings so much to the table.”
Harvick’s insight was invaluable to Allen as Rackley W.A.R. made final preparations for the Snowball Derby. Four cars comprise the Snowball Derby roster for Rackley W.A.R. between Super Late Models and Pro Late Models. Allen believes and of them can notch a win.
The driver piloting the KHI-branded No. 62 for Rackley W.A.R. is defending ARCA Menards Series East champion William Sawalich, who is making his second Snowball Derby appearance. Sawalich brings plenty of Super Late Model success to the seat having previously triumphed in the All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Nearly everything has gone according to plan for Sawalich at Five Flags this week. Exchanging feedback with Rackley W.A.R. enabled Sawalich to quickly find a comfort zone that he believes bolsters his odds of taking home the prestigious Tom Dawson Trophy.
“When we tested, we worked on some front turn and got to the point where we needed [to be],” Sawalich said. “We have some speed. I’ve got some good guys behind me, and it’s been good working with Rackley [W.A.R.]. I feel like we’re a good team, so hopefully on Sunday we’ll be ready to go.”
One year removed from a top 10 in his Snowball Derby debut, William Sawalich seeks a victory in the No. 62 for Rackley W.A.R. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR Regional)
The first Snowball Derby venture for Sawalich in 2023 featured plenty of positives and negatives. After qualifying 26th, Sawalich had to methodically climb his way toward the front of the field before settling for a 10th-place run, two laps behind race winner Ty Majeski.
A year of competing in various disciplines around the U.S. has only refined Sawalich’s approach to big events like the Snowball Derby. More wisdom also enables Sawalich to share ideas with Allen, along with his Rackley W.A.R. teammates for the weekend in Dawson, Nicholas Naugle and Sylas Ripley.
Having previously worked with Sawalich, Allen said the driver’s maturity is what separates him from other young competitors in the industry and makes him a favorite for the Snowball Derby victory.
“William’s feedback is unreal,” Allen said. “He is a top-notch driver, and his record shows how great of a driver he is. He’s another part of our stable that has a chance to win. That car gets better every time it goes out, so we’re excited to see how things go.”
William Sawalich leads a strong, four-car armada for Rackley W.A.R. in their pursuit of victories in both the Snowball Derby and Snowflake 100. (Photo: Nic Antaya/ARCA Racing)
Allen feels the laps Sawalich and the rest of his drivers have logged all week have given him a solid notebook for the Snowball Derby and the Snowflake. Now it comes down to executing their respective game plans for each race.
Now in their fourth year of operation, Rackley W.A.R. lacks the experience of other drivers and teams that are regular Snowball Derby entrants. Despite this, Allen believes his operation can write their own chapter in the event’s long history this weekend; a belief further solidified by Harvick’s ongoing involvement.
Sawalich echoes Allen’s confidence about a potential Snowball Derby victory. A myriad of factors will need to fall his way to take the checkered flag first on Sunday, but Sawalich knows has the experience and environment around him to cross off a crucial milestone in the KHI-branded No. 62.
“I’d love to win, and I think I can win,” Sawalich said. “You’ve got to get a good, long-run car. This track eats tires, so you’ve got to be prepared for what’s to come. [A Snowball Derby victory] is something everyone wants, and I’ve wanted it for about three years now.”
For Allen, being able to align with a program like KHI for the Snowball Derby and beyond reflects how much Rackley W.A.R. has developed in a short period of time.
Like every new team, Rackley W.A.R. struggled with growing pains attempting to ascertain what could work at short tracks and in the Truck Series. Four years later, they now have a realistic chance to obtain Super Late Model racing’s crown jewel with one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history at their side.
Rackley W.A.R. has nearly achieved Snowball Derby immortality during their lifespan, as they earned a pole with Josh Berry back in 2022. Allen wants to best that milestone on Sunday by having one of his Super Late Models prevail on Sunday.
“This is the biggest Late Model race there is, and it’s definitely been circled on the calendar all year,” Allen said. “We’ve had really good cars every time we’ve been [to Five Flags], so we’re trying to keep building that notebook to get better. We’ve gotten to sniff [a Snowball Derby victory] a little bit.
“We just need one more spot.”
Patience and diligence have primed Rackley W.A.R. to make a run at a Snowball Derby with KHI; an alliance that could potentially establish the two entities as a powerhouse across motorsports for years to come.
Already in possession of the track record in qualifying since 2015, the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion displayed his typical precision around the half-mile oval, earning his second pole with a time of 16.175 seconds.
Majeski’s time Friday did not eclipse his previous record of 16.120 seconds, but he was more than satisfied to lay down the quickest lap of anyone in the 44-car field. Long familiar with the intensity surrounding Snowball Derby qualifying, Majeski was stoic and composed while waiting for his turn to hit the track.
“It’s more of a pride thing,” Majeski said. “Everyone talks about Friday qualifying. The atmosphere is just electric I feel like. It’s definitely the most exciting qualifying session we have as drivers.
“It feels good to sit on another pole, and it’s a testament to how great our Late Models are right now.”
The blistering lap Majeski set came after he had to overcome adversity during an abbreviated practice session Thursday.
While shaking down his car, Majeski hit a piece of track surface that had come loose, damaging the front end. Majeski, crew chief Toby Nuttleman and the rest of the crew worked diligently Thursday and Friday to repair the No. 91 iRacing Toyota in time for the all-too-important Friday evening qualifying session.
There was no evidence of any repairs on Majeski’s car as he rocketed around Five Flags to give himself optimal track position for Sunday’s 300-lap Super Late Model feature. It was Majeski’s first Snowball Derby pole since he set the track record nearly a decade ago.
Majeski had no idea his car could put down a lap that stellar, but he trusted Nuttleman and his crew to set everything up perfectly after Thursday’s misfortune. With how busy Majeski is with his Truck Series commitments now, he plans to cherish Friday’s accomplishment with the team before pursuing a third Snowball Derby checkered flag.
“I didn’t really expect this kind of raw speed,” Majeski said. “I’m really blessed to have the opportunity to drive these great late models. My guys have been together for like 13 years now, and we love coming down here.
“We don’t spend as much time as we use to together, so it’s a lot of fun to come down for Snowball and be competitive.”
Kaden Honeycutt, who will race full-time in the Truck Series in 2025 for Niece Motorsports, qualified on the outside pole alongside Majeski. NASCAR Xfinity Series competitor William Sawalich followed Majeski and Honeycutt in the running order with the third best time on the evening.
Majeski now has two days to regroup before the green flag waves for the Snowball Derby on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET, which will be broadcasted live on FloRacing.
